One of the nation’s foremost experts in his field, Joe was among the first responders to the crisis of global amphibian decline and is responsible for the naming of more than 30 new amphibian and reptile species. His research initiatives include biodiversity surveys in Latin America; natural history, ecological and taxonomic studies; and amphibian conservation research, outreach and diplomacy. He is President of the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles and serves on the Advisory Board of the Amphibian Ark.

Joe has a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of California at Santa Barbara; a Master’s in Biology from the University of Texas at Arlington; and a PhD in Systematics and Ecology from University of Kansas. He is an adjunct faculty member at the Georgia Institute of Technology (Biology Department); a Research Associate at the University of Texas at Arlington (Biology Department); and a Graduate Research Committee member at Florida International University (Biological Sciences Department).